Manchester (Cheetham Buildings)

James Walker 1748 - 1822

Summary

The engraving, a view of the medieval buildings of Chetham's Hospital, Manchester, is mounted above a printed text which describes the city. The print and text are taken from 'The Itinerant', a magazine published in London in the late 1790s. The text explains the reason for choosing this view to represent Manchester: 'From the situation of the town, a general view is not to be procured without going too great a distance.' The view shows the side of Chetham's College that can be seen from the far bank of the river Irk. In the foreground is a bridge, which leads up to a street behind the College. Passers-by and a man chasing a horse are on the river bank in the foreground. In the background to the left is the Grammar School, and to the right the Collegiate Church. The text refers to Manchester as being 'of great antiquity', but points out that although it is 'the largest, most opulent, and populous town in Lancashire' it has no members of Parliament, 'nor has it any officer above a constable'.